Working together to prevent domestic violence

23 November 2015

Mosman Council and community organisations are working together to prevent and reduce the impact of domestic violence following a meeting chaired by Deputy Mayor Cr Carolyn Corrigan to hear directly from agencies working on the frontline.

Police, health, local women’s refuges managed by Manly Warringah Women’s Resource Centre, Lifeline, Relationships Australia, White Ribbon Australia and the Lower North Shore Domestic Violence Network attended the meeting along with Council representatives in the lead-up to White Ribbon Day on 25 November.

Improved promotion of services and support; advocacy for improved Commonwealth/State funding to services such as women’s refuges; and undertaking regional initiatives with other councils were among key suggested actions.

Council has since written to other lower north shore and northern beaches councils seeking their views on possible joint initiatives and will be determining other Council actions that can be taken to support community efforts.

Sue Spencer, Chairperson of the Lower North Shore Domestic Violence Network, which focusses on prevention, education and raising community awareness of the issue and the available help and support to those impacted, acknowledged the importance of collective action on domestic violence.

“This is an insidious social issue that requires cultural change and concerted action by the community as a whole,” she said. “We welcome the contributions of councils and community groups in working at a local level to inform and educate.”

With Council support, the Network held a stall at Mosman markets this month, providing a range of information and resources to market goers who were very supportive of the Network’s efforts, making enquiries and buying white ribbons. The banner ‘Stop Domestic Violence: It Happens on the North Shore Too’ will be displayed in the civic precinct for White Ribbon Day. Council has also provided a community grant for training of local community services workers early next year.

For further information and support visit the Network’s website: www.northshoredomesticviolence.org.au or phone the NSW Domestic Violence Line 1800 65 64 63 (24 hours per day, 7 days per week). White Ribbon Day is held annually on the International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November and signals the start of the 16 Days of Activism to Stop Violence against Women, which ends on Human Rights Day (December 10).